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Showing posts with label Eyes of the Heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eyes of the Heart. Show all posts

Sunday, 5 May 2013

Eyes of the Heart: Discovering God Through a Camera Lens




"...to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time."
-Georgia O'Keefe
I loved this quote and its impact regarding the material of Eyes of the Heart. 
It's a book of process. Process takes time...

The first 2 chapters introduce the reader to the idea and practice of 
receiving images from the world around us, 
as gifts to us for inner exploration. 
Next chapter introduced shadow and light as spiritual dimensions 
we can view through the lens as well as our personal interior. 
By chapter 4 we were exploring framing and reframing 
ourselves and our self-stories 
just as we frame and reframe our photo subjects. 
Colour, our inspiration for chapter 5.
Creative sources of reflections of the holy in our world for chapter 6. 
Self-portraits, our chapter 7 topic. 
Chapter 8 ties it all together; God is in our seeing. 
Open the eyes of our heart to see the Divine Presence everywhere. 
To live in awe and wonder.

Supporting quotes open each chapter, 
in depth instructional material plus each chapter provides multiple activities 
for interaction to deepen the learning opportunities; 
to enrich the inner growth available through intentional practice. 
eg. Go walking. 
What images evoke/reflect your deepest dreams/longings/wishes/hopes...? 
or scripture passages to contemplate, journal and apply.

“..every photo we make is in some way a self-portrait,
b/c it reveals something about how we see the world.”
What are our photos saying about us?
“In a sense your photographs are your autobiography.” –Dorothea Lange.
Everyday objects can symbolically represent the self.
For me, the teacup icons I use are a self portrait.
Stacks of books another.  In fact,
more representational of me than a single dimension photo visage.


Here is a book intent on breaking down the perpetuation of our false self that wants
“to create only images beautiful in the eyes of others
or ‘marketable’ rather than truthful.”
We must discover our true self –
 ‘who I am beneath the accolades and achievements’.
What desires has God planted in my heart?
The exercises included are designed for just such discoveries.


Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice 
is a personable guide to a life of awareness lived centered in calm and stillness 
rather than knocked off course by reactive emotions. 
I highly recommend it for those who desire to live at a deeper than surface level. 

For those who pray, "Lord, open the eyes of my heart"...




*My appreciation to Ave Maria Press for providing an ebook copy for review without obligation. 








Shared at Cym's

CymLowell

Monday, 18 March 2013

Invitation to Photography Party: Springtime

Welcome to the Abbey of the Arts'
"Springtime" Photo Party
!


From Christine Valters Paintner's
 theme and Photo Party invite to respond with images.
For see, the winter is past,

the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!

–Song of Songs 2:11-13



*This is what my today ~ March 18th ~ looked like for me at FHC !



Springtime begins in the northern hemisphere on Wednesday,
the time of great flowering on the earth offering hope of
new possibilities emerging.
This week, go on a photo pilgrimage,
holding the start of springtime in your heart, and
notice what images are shimmering in the world around you.
(For my southern hemisphere friends, you are welcome to also share images
of the arrival of autumn,
or the ways you see signs of spring even in the midst of the season of letting go)
You can share images you already have which illuminate the theme,
but I encourage you also to go for a walk with the theme in mind
and see what you discover.
You are also welcome to post photos of any other art you create inspired by the theme. 
See what stirs your imagination!
How to participate:
1. Go to the Flickr Group I have created. You need a free Flickr account first
(go to the Flickr home page and click "Sign up now.") 
When you go to the link it will ask you to join the group first before posting. 
Share up to five of your images in response to the theme.
2. Leave a comment at Christine's blog post to let us know
you have joined the party and
what your Flickr profile name is
(you must include this to be entered into the prize drawing).
For Christine's newest book to be released March 25th!



3. Please 
post the invitation on your blog or Facebook page 
and encourage others to come join the party!
On Friday, March 22nd – Christine will draw a name at random
from those who participate and the winner will receive
a space in one of my upcoming online class
 Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Contemplative Practice (April 28-June 15, 2013) and
 a copy of my new book {as above}which the class accompanies.

Spring and all its flowers now
joyously break their vow of silence.
It is time for
celebration, not for
lying low.

–Hafiz




I've joined the party and thought you might enjoy 
the creative expression offered in doing so as well...
Let me know in comments so I can look for your photo posts !!




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